Buckle.



E. s. COLBY. BUCKLE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 29. I912.

Patented June 26, 1917.

0% ff'arhey at ww 6/ w W ERNEST S. COLBY, OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

BUCKLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 26, 1917.

Application filed February 29, 1912. Serial N 0. 680,675.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST S. COLBY, of Portland, in the county of Multnomah, and in the State of Oregon, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Buckles, and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

The object of my invention is the provision of a device for binding or securing articles or packages which will combine the desirable characteristics of simplicity of construction, be easy and economical of manufacture, capable of ample adjustment so as to suit articles or packages of widely diifering sizes and shapes, easy of operation both in securing and releasing articles or packages, and capable of perfectly performing its intended function.

Referring to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of my invention as applied to a hook;

Fig. 2 a longitudinal section thereof with parts shown in elevation; and

Fig. 3 a cross section with parts in elevation.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings it comprises a buckle. The buckle has a substantially rectangular body 10 which may be made of sheet metal having a centrally located hole or opening 11 which may be formed by the partial cutting away of the stock to form a tongue or lip 12 which is folded or doubled upon the contiguous end portion of the body so that one end of the strap 18 may be pinched between said two portions and thereby that end of the strap fixedly secured to the buckle, the result being a most simple and yet thoroughly efficient connection between the buckle body and the strap. As is most clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, the body 10 has at each side an upstanding flange which overlaps the side edge of the down-turned lip 12, and covers the edges of the portion of the strap 13 iv ing between the lip 12 and the body 10. This effectually prevents any lateral, or sidewise tendency of the strap 13 where it is gripped by the lip 12, and besides makes a smooth finish as well as adds strength to the body 10. At the opposite end from that having the strap securing means the buckle body has at each side an outwardly and then laterally bent lug 14. to form an end bearing for a strap engaging tongue 15 in the form of a simple plate having its end opposite that which engages the lugs 14 inclined at a slight angle and adapted to bear against a portion of the strap 13 passing through the hole 11 between it and the rounded portion of the body formed by bending the lip 12. The strap engaging surface 16 of the tongue 'or dog 15 may be roughened by crimping or milling to give a good grip or bite upon the strap. The other end of the strap 13 is attached to said tongue or dog 15, said other end of the strap being doubled upon itself to pass through a hole 17 in said tongue or dog and there pinched, the doubled portion projecting 011 the outer side of the tongue and forming a handle 18 for conveniently moving the tongue or dog.

The strap passes from the tongue or dog on the inner side thereof in the space between it and the body 10 of the buckle, and thence outward forming the loop 19 for encircling the article to be secured, andthe loop 20 is formed by the portion of strap fixedly secured at one end to the body 10 and extending therefrom to the point where it is caught by the tongue or dog 15. It will be observed that by the arrangement of the strap described, since it is connected at one end to the dog or pawl 15, and it is engaged at an intermediate point by said tongue or dog 15, the pull upon the strap by the article bound is in a direction at both points to tend to tighten the grip of the tongue or dog at its face 16 upon the strap. As the tongue or dog 15 is attached to the buckle body by means of the strap, the two parts, of course, cannot be lost and hence only a loose bearing or connection between the tongue or dog 15 and the buckle body is required, which connection may consist simply of spurs 21 at the edges of the plate or dog 15 adapted when the rear edge of the plate is in engagement with the upwardly projecting parts or shoulders of the lugs 14, to be received underneath and engage with the laterally projecting parts of the lugs to hold the tongue or dog in place on the buckle frame. As clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 the doubled portion of the strap 13 passing through the hole 17 may be engaged by spurs or teeth 22 at one side of the hole through which said double portion of the strap passes.

The manner of use of my device will be evident without any special description thereof. Fig. 1, the loop 19 passes about the article or object to be secured, while the loop 20 forms a convenient handle for holding and carrying. The operation of assembling and release may be easily and instantly performed.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is 1. A buckle comprising a sheet metal body consisting of a frame having a central opening from one side of which a lip is bent outward and parallel withthe body, a space being provided between the lip and the body which. opens outwardly, an extended smooth strap-bearing being thus provided at said side of the opening, said lip and the contiguous portion of the buckle body forming means for clamping the end of the strap, the buckle having side flanges which are adapted to overlie the edges of the portion of the strap engaged by said lip, and a clamping tongue, or dog to which the other end of the strap is adapted to be attached having a movable connection with said flanges.

As may be seen by reference to 2. A buckle comprising a sheet metal body consisting of a frame having a central opening from one side of which a lip is bent outward and parallel with the body, an extended smooth strap bearing being thus provided at said side of the opening, said lip and the contiguous portion of the buckle body forming means for clamping the end of a strap, the buckle having side ribs which are adapted to overlie the edges of the portion of the strap engaged by said lip, said side ribs having at the opposite end of the body laterally projecting lugs, and a clamping tongue, or dog, to which the other end of the strap is adapted tobe attached, and having a loose engagement with said lugs and adapted to impinge upon the strap where it passes through the hole in the body and hold it against the bearing formed by the outwardly folded lip.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand.

ERNEST s. COLBY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. r 

